Willis Towers Watson Public Limited (NASDAQ:WTW) Shares Sold by Marathon Capital Management

Marathon Capital Management lessened its holdings in shares of Willis Towers Watson Public Limited (NASDAQ:WTW) by 0.6% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 19,933 shares of the company’s stock after selling 120 shares during the quarter. Willis Towers Watson Public accounts for about 1.3% of Marathon Capital Management’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 17th largest holding. Marathon Capital Management’s holdings in Willis Towers Watson Public were worth $5,225,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Richardson Financial Services Inc. acquired a new stake in Willis Towers Watson Public during the 1st quarter worth approximately $28,000. American National Bank acquired a new stake in Willis Towers Watson Public in the second quarter valued at approximately $36,000. Beacon Capital Management LLC grew its position in Willis Towers Watson Public by 136.5% in the first quarter. Beacon Capital Management LLC now owns 175 shares of the company’s stock valued at $48,000 after acquiring an additional 101 shares in the last quarter. New Millennium Group LLC acquired a new stake in Willis Towers Watson Public in the second quarter valued at approximately $54,000. Finally, LRI Investments LLC acquired a new stake in Willis Towers Watson Public in the first quarter valued at approximately $58,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 93.09% of the company’s stock.

Willis Towers Watson Public Stock Performance

WTW opened at $291.16 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $29.57 billion, a PE ratio of 29.20, a P/E/G ratio of 1.50 and a beta of 0.74. The company has a current ratio of 1.94, a quick ratio of 1.94 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.56. Willis Towers Watson Public Limited has a 1 year low of $203.36 and a 1 year high of $296.45. The stock’s 50 day simple moving average is $283.55 and its 200-day simple moving average is $268.97.

Willis Towers Watson Public (NASDAQ:WTW) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, July 25th. The company reported $2.55 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.28 by $0.27. The company had revenue of $2.27 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $2.27 billion. Willis Towers Watson Public had a return on equity of 16.97% and a net margin of 11.24%. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 4.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $2.05 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts forecast that Willis Towers Watson Public Limited will post 16.51 EPS for the current year.

Willis Towers Watson Public Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, October 15th. Investors of record on Monday, September 30th will be issued a $0.88 dividend. This represents a $3.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.21%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, September 30th. Willis Towers Watson Public’s dividend payout ratio is 35.31%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

WTW has been the subject of several recent research reports. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price objective on shares of Willis Towers Watson Public from $318.00 to $321.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Friday, July 26th. Morgan Stanley lowered their price objective on shares of Willis Towers Watson Public from $275.00 to $272.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, July 10th. Barclays initiated coverage on shares of Willis Towers Watson Public in a research report on Wednesday, September 4th. They issued an “underweight” rating and a $278.00 price objective for the company. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods increased their price objective on shares of Willis Towers Watson Public from $320.00 to $323.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 31st. Finally, Roth Mkm raised their price objective on Willis Towers Watson Public from $300.00 to $315.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, July 26th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have assigned a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $298.73.

About Willis Towers Watson Public

Willis Towers Watson Public Limited Company operates as an advisory, broking, and solutions company worldwide. It operates through two segments: Health, Wealth & Career and Risk & Broking. The company offers strategy and design consulting, plan management service and support, broking and administration services for health, wellbeing, and other group benefit program, including medical, dental, disability, life, voluntary benefits and other coverages; actuarial support, plan design, and administrative services for pension and retirement savings plans; retirement consulting services and solutions; and integrated solutions that consists of investment discretionary management, pension administration, core actuarial, and communication and change management assistance services.